Magic Breakfast announces the election of a new Chair and the appointment of two new trustees  

23 June 2022

Magic Breakfast, the education charity, is delighted to announce the election of Aniela Shuckburgh as the new Chair of the Board of Trustees.  

Aniela will take over the position from Joanne Thompson (Trustee and Chair since May 2019), who spearheaded Magic Breakfast through a period of significant growth and transformation. Over the past three years, the charity has more than doubled the number of schools supported and increased the number of hungry children and young people able to access a nutritious breakfast from 48,000 to more than 200,000 every school day.  

With the impact of the Covid pandemic still disrupting society and lives, especially those of children and the education sector, followed by the spiraling cost-of-living crisis, it means Magic Breakfast’s work has never been more urgent or important. We are now facing increased inequality, a growing educational attainment gap, and rising food insecurity and hunger. Magic Breakfast’s latest research, Hidden Hunger, shows 2.7 million children and young people are at risk of starting their school day with an empty tummy.  

In addition to Aniela being appointed as the new Chair, Magic Breakfast has welcomed two new trustees to the board, Jackie Newell, and Julie Harkness. 

Julie is the Vice Principal at Carr Manor Community School, Leeds and has worked in leadership roles at inner-city primary schools for 20 years whilst Jackie, with more than 25 years’ experience and an education and background in supporting children with Autism, is Headteacher at secondary school, Hollybrook Academy, Glasgow. Hollybrook supports pupils with Additional Learning Needs 

Aniela Shuckburgh, Chair of the Board of Trustees said “I am delighted to become Chair of Magic Breakfast. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board and the amazing team at Magic Breakfast to pursue our mission of ending morning hunger as a barrier to education for children and young people. Now more than ever, during the cost-of-living crisis, child poverty needs to be centre stage to ensure that a whole generation of children and young people do not suffer devastating educational consequences. Magic Breakfast is a crucial part of the solution to this problem, and I am determined that no child or young person in the UK will be too hungry to learn.” 

                                                         Photo: Aniela Shuckburgh 

Lindsey MacDonald, Chief Executive at Magic Breakfast, said: “I am excited that Aniela has been elected as the new Chair and to welcome Jackie and Julie to the Board. This year, we have reviewed and updated our strategy and plans to meet the need and challenges exacerbated by rising living costs and food insecurity. Further deepening Magic Breakfast’s understanding of communities in the North of England and Scotland will strengthen our voice as we advocate for investment in school breakfast provision to ensure no child or young person is too hungry to learn.” 

 

Find out how you can support Magic Breakfast at www.magicbreakfast.com